In a period in time where there has not been much to be proud of for Astros faithful, there always seems to be a bright spot for Astros fans to enjoy and savor during the middle of the summer. Last year being Jose Altuve being the lone Astros All Star representative in Kansas City, and the year before the Astros had Hunter Pence go to Phoenix before he was ultimately traded to the Phillies. This year is no different, sending catcher Jason Castro to New York City, yet it is far different from the others because of Castro’s background story leading up to this All-Star selection. Jason Castro’s journey to this point in his young career has been a one not easily traveled, being selected for his first ever All-Star Game in his career is a sort of icing on the comeback cake for Castro after the devastating knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2011 season for the Astros. As heart wrenching a setback like that can be, Castro would not allow it to hold him back. Continue reading →

It has been a fun ride for Astros fans watching Justin Maxwell take their hearts by storm over the last season and a half. Garnering love and respect from Astros fans for his personality and versatile style of play, Maxwell has hit a wall this year, a wall all too familiar with the 29 year old journeyman outfielder. Struggling with injuries in his tenure with the Nationals was a major part in his journey to his current slot in Houston, but as the injury bug has him in it’s firm grip, Maxwell’s tenure in Houston could just about be over if should he not shake the injury bug. Continue reading →

Next Thursday, June 6, is the Rule 4 MLB Draft and for the second year in a row, our hometown nine will have the first overall selection. This comes on the heels of a team worst record of 55-107 during the 2012 season. Last year, the Astros selected SS Carlos Correa with the first overall pick after finishing the 2011 season with a 56-106 record. Let’s take a look at the options the Astros are facing with the top selection in next week’s draft.

Over the past five games, the Houston Astros starting pitchers have four quality starts, and the other was a great effort from Dallas Keuchel to help keep his team in the game, and eventually got the win. Honestly, this is the best stretch of baseball I’ve seen the Astros play. Yes, the blowouts of the Mariners were fun, but the pitching was bad. I’m not saying it is great, it still needs a lot of work, but the pitchers have been improving, and are looking much better now. However, the Astros are going up against a team that has really had their number this season, the Oakland Athletics.

When you’re in the position that the Astros are in, a lot of teams have your number, but the A’s have really destroyed the Astros in the six games that they’ve played so far this season. In six games, the A’s have outscored the Astros by 26 runs, and that leads to run differential of 45-19 in favor of the A’s. One thing that you can notice from that is the fact that the A’s starting pitchers have obviously outpitched the Astros, and obviously the bullpen played a role in that too.

In this upcoming series, the Astros are going to need strong starting pitching to have any chance.

If I remember correctly, the last time Erik Bedard faced off against the A’s, he couldn’t get out of the first inning. Tonight, Bedard takes the mound and needs another good start to keep his rotation spot. Since being placed in the bullpen, and then placed back into the starting rotation, Bedard has been pitching much better, and another good start tonight could go a long ways for his confidence, and he may be able to pick up that first win of the year. He is 0-2 on the season.

In fact, the Astros starting pitchers will need to have a week much like the week that just passed. If they do that, the Astros have a good chance to pick up at least one game against the A’s. One thing I know, don’t let the Astros have a lead in the ninth because then it is Jose Veras time.